Managing use limitations in a virtual universe resource conservation region

ABSTRACT

A virtual universe can include regions that conserve natural resource usage. A virtual universe natural resource conservation system (“system”) can determine that an avatar is accessing a natural resource conservation region in a virtual universe. The natural resource conservation region is supported with one or more devices that adhere to restrictions on natural resource usage. The system can also apply one or more virtual universe restrictions while the avatar is accessing the natural resource conservation region.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate generally to virtualuniverse systems that, more particularly, manage use limitations in avirtual universe natural resource conservation region.

Virtual universe applications allow people to socialize and interact ina virtual universe. A virtual universe (“VU”) is a computer-basedsimulated environment intended for its residents to traverse, inhabit,and interact through the use of avatars. Many VUs are represented using3-D graphics and landscapes, and are populated by many thousands ofusers, known as “residents.” Other terms for VUs include metaverses and“3D Internet.”

SUMMARY

A virtual universe can include regions that conserve natural resourceusage. A virtual universe natural resource conservation system(“system”) can determine that an avatar is accessing a natural resourceconservation region in a virtual universe. The natural resourceconservation region is supported with one or more devices that adhere torestrictions on natural resource usage. The system can also apply one ormore virtual universe restrictions while the avatar is accessing thenatural resource conservation region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present embodiments may be better understood, and numerous objects,features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art byreferencing the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an example illustration of controlling a virtual resourceconservation region.

FIG. 2 is an example flow diagram 200 illustrating promoting virtualresource conservation regions.

FIG. 3 is an example flow diagram 300 illustrating imposing limitationson a virtual resource conservation region.

FIG. 4 is an example flow diagram 400 illustrating managingcomprehensive energy usage for a controlled energy use region.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example networking environment.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example computer system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

The description that follows includes exemplary systems, methods,techniques, instruction sequences and computer program products thatembody techniques of the present inventive subject matter. However, itis understood that the described embodiments may be practiced withoutthese specific details. For instance, although examples refer to“regions” in a virtual universe that conserve energy, other examples canrefer to areas of the virtual universe that are larger or smaller than aregion, membership to avatar conservation groups within the virtualuniverse, etc. In other instances, well-known instruction instances,protocols, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail inorder not to obfuscate the description.

Introduction

VU providers work hard to create virtual worlds that are interesting,and usually different from the real world, so that VU users can immersethemselves in an experience that is different from the real world.However, VUs still run on energy derived from the real world and VUusers represent real-life individuals that consume real-life resources.Some VU providers and VU users are concerned with the “greenness” oftheir VU usage. “Greenness” is a short-hand term that describes ameasure of some thing's impact on the environment. The more “green” something is, the more environmentally friendly it is considered to be. FIG.1 shows how a computer system, according to some embodiments, canpromote a “green” region in a virtual universe that can conserve realworld resources.

FIG. 1 is an example illustration of controlling a virtual resourceconservation region (“green region”) 110. In FIG. 1, a virtual universenatural resource conservation system (“system”) 100 includes a client160, one or more servers 150, and a communication network 120. Theservers 150 serve a virtual universe network by processing and providingdata that the client 160 can process, rendering one or more VU displays102, 103. One VU display 102 can present a graphical user interface(GUI) with map displays, inventory controls, configuration settings,chat screens, etc. The client 160 can also render a VU display 103displaying an avatar 107 within a green region 110 of the VU.

The system 100 is configured to monitor and control the green region110. The green region 110 is a region in the VU that is supported bydevices (e.g., the servers 150, the client 160, other devices not shown)that adhere to limitations on natural resource usage, such asrestrictions on overusing natural resources. The green region 110strives to use fewer natural resources than other regions in the VU. Thesystem 100 monitors (e.g., measures) usage of real world naturalresources (e.g., overall energy usage to operate the devices, the originand cleanliness of the energy usage, the degree of heat production ofdevices, etc.) associated with the green region 110. The devices canhave one or more gauges 130, 140, that measure the natural resourceusage. The system 100 restricts the usage of the natural resources bythe devices to maintain the usage within one or more usage thresholds132, 142. Multiple usage thresholds can be combined into a single“greenness” score, or rating, based on one or more measurements ofnatural resource usage. A VU provider may establish its own scoringcriteria and usage thresholds for maintaining one or more green regionswithin the VU grid. Alternatively, organizations outside of the VU(e.g., a governing body, a regulatory group, a business association,etc.) may also establish greenness scoring criteria, ratings and/orusage thresholds as a standard to which a VU provider can adhere tomaintain green regions within the VU grid.

The system 100 can promote the green region 110 to avatars within theVU. For example, the system 100 can indicate the green region 110 toavatars within the VU so that the avatar owners know which regions aremore resource friendly. The system 100 can also provide incentives, orawards, to entice avatars to visit the green region 110 instead ofnon-green regions. For instance, the system 100 can first detect when anavatar 107 is likely to access the green region 110. One way for thesystem 100 to detect that the avatar 107 is likely to access the greenregion 110 is that the system 100 can detect an invitation 104 sent tothe avatar 107 to visit the green region 110. Another way for the system100 to detect that the avatar 107 is likely to access the green region110 is that the system 100 can track the movement of the avatar 107 in amap 106 and determine when the avatar 107 is within a pre-determinedproximity to the green region 110 (e.g., when an avatar is within acertain VU coordinate range). The system 100 can then present potentialawards to entice the avatar 107 into the green region 110. For instance,the system 100 can present an awards list 108 showing possible awardsthat the avatar 107 can receive for visiting the green region 110. Thesystem 100 can assign the awards to the avatar 107 and/or to a VU useraccount associated with the avatar 107. The avatar 107 can redeem theawards within the VU. Award restrictions may be applied such as durationor interaction requirements, and the award may be offered to a user alimited number of times.

The system 100 can provide indicators within the VU to identify andpromote the green region 110. The indicators provide notice to thevisiting avatar 107 that the region is a green region. The indicatorscan be presented within the VU user interface (e.g., VU display 102) asimages, video, sounds, text messages, etc. For example, some indicatorsmay include a visual indication on the map 106 of the VU that sets theregion apart as a green region. The system 100 can also indicate thegreen region with the invitation 104 to visit the green region. Further,the system 100 can display one or more items or characteristics (e.g.,colors, backgrounds, textures, sign posts, etc.) within the green region110 that indicate the region as a green region.

The system 100 can monitor the devices (e.g., client 160, server 150,etc.) at all times to ensure that the measure of natural resource usagestays within the one or more usage thresholds 132, 142. The system 100can measure resource usage in many ways. For example, the system 100 canmeasure direct power usage, as in the gauge 140. The gauge can beassociated with the devices 160, 150 as hardware and/or softwarecontained within and/or connected to the devices 160, 150. The gauge 140monitors power usage and prevents the power usage from reaching an upperlimit of usage indicated by the threshold 142. Additionally, the system100 can measure indirect resource usage, such as a “heat” measurement,as in gauge 130. The higher the heat production, the more the system 100has to use power to cool the devices 160, 150. As a result, the gauge130 monitors the temperature of the devices (e.g., as a comprehensivemeasure for all devices, as individual measurements for individualdevices, etc.) and sets an upper measurement limit indicated by thethreshold 132.

When the system 100 detects that the gauge measurements are approachingthe thresholds 132, 142, the system 100 can take actions and/or imposelimitations that will maintain resource usage within the thresholds 132,142. As an example, the system can reduce the image quality of regionitems and characteristics, like the house 105, the landscape 109, andthe avatar 107. The system 100 can also restrict the activities of theavatar 107, or other objects within the green region 110. The system 100can also directly access the devices 150, 160 and cause them to reducenatural resource usage (e.g., dim their display brightness, produce lessVU data, delay network communications, shift to a power-save mode,etc.). The system 100 can take actions based on the type of resourceusage and/or impose conservation limitations in a way that directlyaffects a specific measurement. For example, if the system 100 measuresa power over usage, the system 100 can reduce image processing and/ordata production on the servers. On the other hand, if the system 100measures an over usage of energy from power providers known to produceenergy in unclean ways, or that produce high levels of environmentalpollutants, the system 100 can switch to a local power grid or energyproducer that produces clean energy (e.g., solar, water, wind energy)versus high-polluting energy (e.g., fossil fuel energy), subject to thecapability of the power utilities and infrastructure.

Example Operations

This section describes operations associated with some embodiments. Inthe discussion below, some flow diagrams are described with reference toblock diagrams presented herein. However, in some embodiments, theoperations can be performed by logic not described in the blockdiagrams.

In certain embodiments, the operations can be performed by executinginstructions residing on machine-readable media (e.g., software), whilein other embodiments, the operations can be performed by hardware and/orother logic (e.g., firmware). Moreover, some embodiments can performmore or less than all the operations shown in any flow diagram.

FIG. 2 is an example flow diagram illustrating promoting virtualresource conservation regions. In FIG. 2, the flow 200 begins atprocessing block 202, where a virtual universe natural resourceconservation system (“system”) determines an avatar that may potentiallyaccess a green region in a VU. The system can determine that an avatarmay potentially access the green region in many ways. FIG. 1 discussed afew examples of when an avatar may have potential access to the greenregion such as an avatar's proximity to the region or an invitation tovisit the region. It is common within a virtual universe for users to beextended invitations to teleport to a region. A teleport is a transitfrom one region of a virtual universe to another without requiring theuser to move through the intervening regions. The system can detect whenan avatar receives a teleport invitation to a green region.Environmentally conscientious avatars may opt to only accept teleportinvitations to green regions. Other ways of determining that an avatarmay potentially access a green region includes determining when anavatar receives a communication from another avatar discussing the greenregion or determining when an avatar requests information about thegreen region.

In some embodiments, the system may need to determine that the regionthat the avatar may potentially access is a green region. One way todetect a green region is to detect a certificate from an authority(e.g., a global authority, a private authority, a self-regulated group,etc.) designating the region as green region. To receive thecertificate, the system can provide metrics to the authority indicatinga level of conservation within the region. If the metrics meetrequirements established by the authority, the authority can grant thecertificate. The authority can also assign a conservation level, or agreenness score, to the region. After receiving the certificate, thesystem can store and associate the certificate with the region. Anydevice that accesses, or potentially accesses, the region can detect thecertificate. If a greenness score is stored on the certificate, thesystem can also detect that score and use the score to determineindicators to present and limitations to impose. The system, however,does not have to look for a certificate from an authority but insteadcould determine whether devices that support a region meet a level ofconservation and tag the region as a green region. For example, thesystem can review power consumption characteristics of devices thatpower the region. The system can compare the power consumptioncharacteristics to rules that categorize natural resource conservation.Power consumption characteristics can include, but not be limited to,electrical consumption, electrical consumption efficiency per avatar,heat output, system resource utilization, etc. The system can also checkconfiguration files, stores, or lookup tables that indicate the type ororigin of a power provider (e.g., could indicate what servers aregetting green power, electrical characteristics, etc.) When the systemdetermines that the region is a green region, the system can watch foravatars that might potentially access the green region.

The flow 200 continues at processing block 204, where the systemindicates the green region within the VU. The system can provideindicators within the VU that the region is designated as a greenregion. Some examples of indicators can include notification messages orimages within a client graphical user interface (GUI), text in a statusbar, pop-up windows, etc. The indicators can be based on a naturalresource conservation score (e.g., a dash-board graphic could show ameter indicating a degree of conservation). The indicators can be colorbased (e.g., a green light shows a green area, a red light shows anon-green area). The indicators can be special boundaries or items thatcan be seen from outside of the green area, such as a tree boundary or aspecial sky color. If an avatar is “flying” in the VU or observing abird's eye map view of the VU, green regions below may be tinted green.If the user receives an invitation to teleport to a green region, or isin the act of teleporting to a green region, the system can display anindicator in a teleport window. The system can also indicate the greenregion based on user preferences associated with a VU user account. Forinstance, the system can evaluate an account profile associated with theavatar. The account profile can have settings set by a VU user accountindicating preferences for visiting green regions (e.g., a preferencesetting to notify an avatar when a green region first becomes active orhas vacancy, a preference setting indicating a desire to receiveinvitations only to green regions, etc.) The system can then notify theavatar of a green region based on the preference settings.

The flow 200 continues at processing block 206, where the system offersone or more awards to incentivize the avatar to access the green region.Some avatars may not be as interested as others in spending time in agreen region. Consequently, the system can attempt to promote the greenregion with one or more offers for awards. Some examples of awards mayinclude VU money or credits, VU items, additional avatar abilities,reduction in subscription fees, carbon credits, etc. The system candetect user preferences stored on a profile for specific types ofrewards that an avatar may prefer. The system can present specificawards based on the preferences. The system can also determine anavatar's past history of activity to determine awards. For example, ifan avatar has never visited a green region, the system may determine avery enticing award to offer the avatar. As the avatar visits greenregions more frequently, the system can offer less enticing awards asthe avatar becomes more environmentally aware. Alternatively, the systemmay determine that the avatar has a history of environmentalconservation inside and/or outside of the VU, and consequently offerthat avatar a more valuable award. In some embodiments, the system mayoffer more valuable awards based on the avatar's popularity, abilities,services, etc.

The flow 200 continues at processing block 208, where the systemdetermines that the avatar accesses the green region. The system cantrack the movement of the avatar and determine if the avatar enters thegreen region. Once within the green region, the system can provide oneor more indicators within the green region so that the avatar canunderstand, at a glance, that it is traversing a green region. Theindicators within the green region may include specialized landscaping(e.g., minimal landscaping, specially colored landscaping, etc.), agreen light or other designations on the VU GUI, special avatarfunctions or abilities (e.g., avatars with a green tint, avatars withthe ability to display an environmental friendliness score, etc.),sounds like “rushing water” or “wind through trees”, signs, etc. Thesystem can also indicate natural resource usage within the VU in a waythat indicates real-world resource usage (e.g., as a resource usagemeasure approaches a usage threshold, the system can graphically depictincreasing temperatures within the green region to represent virtualglobal warming, change the region's sky color to indicate real-worldpollution levels, etc.)

The flow 200 continues at processing block 210, where the system assignsthe award to the avatar. When the avatar accesses the green region, thesystem can assign the award to the avatar directly (e.g., put an avataritem into the avatar's inventory, assign special abilities or privilegesto the avatar, etc.). The system can also assign the award to a VUaccount associated with the avatar (e.g., reduce subscription fees,augment the user account with VU money, etc.)

In some embodiments, the operations can be performed in series, while inother embodiments, one or more of the operations can be performed inparallel. For example the system can indicate green regions in the VU,as a default setting, before determining that an avatar can potentiallyaccess the green region (e.g., a green region on a VU map is alwayscolored green to indicate the green region). Alternatively, the systemcan indicate the green region only after determining that an avatar canpotentially access the green region (e.g., a green region on a VU mapdoesn't appear green until the avatar gets within a specified proximityto the green region).

FIG. 3 is an example flow diagram illustrating imposing limitations on avirtual resource conservation (“green”) region. In FIG. 3, the flow 300begins at processing block 302, where a virtual universe naturalresource conservation system (“system”) determines that an avatar isaccessing a green region. The system can determine when an avatar is ina region by tracking the current coordinates associated with a uniqueuniversal identifier (WUID) for the avatar. The system can compare thecurrent coordinates of the avatar associated with the WUID to gridcoordinates defining the green region's boundaries within the VU. Thesystem can keep track of any number of avatars within the region, aswell as historical information of when avatars usually visit theregions, avatar traffic patterns, and general avatar activities withinthe region.

The flow 300 continues at processing block 304, where the system imposesone or more limitations while the avatar is accessing the green region.The system can impose many different types of limitations. For example,the system can set time limits for avatar access. The time limits canreduce computational load and decrease energy consumption by reducingthe time that an avatar is in the green region. Another way for thesystem to impose limitations is to remove avatars after a specifiedduration within the region. The removal of an avatar enables new avatarsto transit to the region, and removal keeps the population below athreshold, thereby maintaining a desired resource usage. Otherembodiments may remove the avatar that has been there the longest when anew avatar seeks entrance to the region. Some embodiments may combinethe two techniques, allowing avatars to visit for at least a setduration. In such an embodiment a “waiting list” may be created forthose wishing to enter a green region that is full. Each avatar withinthe region may stay for their duration at which point they may be forcedout of the region and the first avatar waiting may enter in their place.

In some embodiments, as a time limit approaches, the system may providethe avatar with a warning. If the avatar wishes to remain in the region,the avatar may provide compensation to stay (e.g., avatar pays money tooffset carbon emissions, the avatar donates money to alternative energycompanies, etc.) If the user does not pay, several actions may be taken.For example, the avatar's account may be logged off the VU, the avatarmay be teleported to a region supported by a low-energy server, theavatar's mobility may be restricted and/or his rendering degraded. Otherlimitations imposed by the system can include, general image qualityrestrictions, penalties (e.g., real world currency payments, gamecurrency deductions, carbon measurement credit points, subscription feeincreases, etc.), teleportation restrictions, selective removal ofavatars, restrictions on avatar activity, restrictions on datatransmitted to a client associated with an avatar, etc.

In some embodiments, if an avatar is teleporting to a region, and theregion is determined to be a green region, the system can modify theteleportation request according to limitations set on the region. Forexample, if the system is overburdened and/or if one or more limitationsare in effect (e.g., a time schedule is enabled limiting visitationduring specific times, a population load level is restricting avataraccess to the green region, etc.) the system can offer an avataralternative regions to visit, deny the teleport request, re-route theteleport to a similar region, etc. An administrative account can enforcethe limitations manually. Alternatively the system can monitor thesystem and enforce the limitations automatically. The system can alsoimpose limitations that comport with user preferences. For instance, anavatar may have user account settings indicating a preference forlimitations, or a preferred order in which limitations can be imposed,when necessary.

The flow 300 continues at processing block 306, where the systemindicates to the avatar the limitations being imposed, resource usagemeasurements, or environmental impact related to the resource usage. Thesystem can provide one or more notifications to the avatar, within thevirtual universe, that the one or more virtual universe limitations areapplied in the green region. The system can also indicate naturalresource usage within the VU in a way that corresponds to resource overusage and/or environmental impact (e.g., as a system temperature measureapproaches a threshold, the system can graphically depict increasingtemperatures in the VU to represent virtual global warming; as a powerprovider indicator approaches a measurement increase of unclean powerplant energy production, the system can change the sky color of thegreen region to indicate pollution; etc.)

In some embodiments, the operations can be performed in series, while inother embodiments, one or more of the operations can be performed inparallel. For example, the system can impose limitations that affect anavatar immediately upon entering a green region. In another example, thesystem can indicate the limitations to the avatar before imposing thelimitations on the avatar to give the avatar a chance to offer acompensation that will delay or prevent the limitations from beingimposed.

FIG. 4 is an example flow diagram illustrating managing comprehensiveenergy usage for controlled energy use regions. In FIG. 4, the flow 400begins at processing block 402, where a virtual universe naturalresource conservation system (“system”) determines a measure ofcomprehensive energy usage of a plurality of devices associated with acontrolled energy use region in a virtual universe. A controlled energyuse region can be one type of green region that limits the amount ofenergy (e.g., total energy use, energy use per avatar within the region,energy use per period, etc.) or type of energy (e.g., clean versusunclean energy, stored versus direct energy, renewable versus fossilfuel energy, etc.) used to support the green region. For instance, thesystem can determine a client device's power usage compared to energyusage at a server site, and combine the two to generate thecomprehensive energy usage. The system can determine respective powerusage by devices on the system and adjust comprehensive energydetermination factors accordingly. For example, if the servers producesignificantly more energy than the client(s) at certain times, or forspecific activities, the system can more carefully track the server sitepower usage at those times.

The system can also determine which of the client or server devices isrunning inefficiently (e.g., one of the devices is running insignificantbackground processes, one of the devices is running in a full powermode, one of the devices is powering excessive hardware devices, one ofthe devices is constantly peaking its processor usage or memory access,etc.). Based on the inefficiency, the system can identify the mostinefficient device. The system can then impose more conservationlimitations on the device that is operating less efficiently. The systemcan use monitoring devices (e.g., gauges, meters, etc.) associated withthe plurality of devices associated with the controlled energy useregion. The monitoring devices can have measurement limits, orthresholds, associated with them. The monitoring devices can behardware, software, and/or a mixture of both. In some embodiments, themonitoring devices can be located at the physical site where theplurality of devices use energy. In other embodiments, however, themonitoring devices may be off-site, for example, at one or more energyprovider facilities. The system can subscribe to energy usage data fromthe one or more energy providers. The system can receive the data frommultiple energy providers, such as energy providers for client devicesand for server devices.

The flow 400 continues at processing block 404, where the systemdetermines that the measure of comprehensive energy approaches a usagethreshold for the controlled energy use region. The system can determinewhat a power usage measure consists of (e.g., is it measuring power overusage, heat production, a “greenness” usage, a time of day for powerusage, etc.) The system can make multiple measurements of the powerusage and indicate as the comprehensive power usage approaches one ormore threshold levels. The system can react to maintain thecomprehensive power usage within the one or more thresholds.

The flow 400 continues at processing block 406, where the system imposesone or more conservation limitations on any of the plurality of devicesto maintain the comprehensive energy usage with the usage threshold. Forexample, the system can detect a client's power consumption based onclient device metrics, settings, and profile (e.g., processor clockspeed, graphics card properties, memory usage, mother-boardcharacteristics, fan speed, etc.) The system can accordingly restrictpower usage for the client device if the client device is overusing orinefficiently using power, or has a history of over consumption. Forexample, the system can force avatars associated with the client intogreen regions of the VU or reduce image quality on a specific client.The system can determine when to reduce client energy usage versusserver energy usage, or vice versa. For example, if a client device isthe greater abuser of power or greenness, then the system can restrictthe client's image quality in rendering the region or reduce thatparticular avatar's abilities versus having to restrict data processingat the server for the entire region. Further, the system can restrictactivities in the VU according to degrees (e.g., as a power usageapproaches a usage threshold, the system can reduce activities with moreaggressiveness and/or in a specific order that minimizes the impact onthe region).

In some embodiments, the operations can be performed in series, while inother embodiments, one or more of the operations can be performed inparallel. For example the system can impose conservation limitations onthe plurality of devices immediately upon accessing or being assigned tosupport the controlled energy use region. The system can then determinethe comprehensive energy usage by the plurality of devices and determinehow the devices are individually contributing to an approach on theusage threshold. The system can then impose more conservationlimitations based on which of the devices are causing the greatestimpact on the energy usage.

Additional Example Operating Environments

This section describes example operating environments, systems andnetworks, and presents structural aspects of some embodiments.

Example Virtual Universe Resource Conservation Network

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a networking environment. Thesystem 500 can include multiple client devices (“clients”) 502 and 504connected to multiple servers 508 and 512 via a network 514. The network514 can be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), atelephone network, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN),an intranet, the Internet, or a combination of networks. For simplicity,the system 500 shows only two clients 502 and 504 and three servers 508,512, and 516 connected to the network 514. The client 504 includes aclient resource usage module 506 and the server 508 includes a virtualconservation region indicator 509 and a system resource usage controller510. The virtual conservation region indicator 509 can be configured topromote and indicate one or more green regions with the virtualuniverse. The system resource usage controller 510 can imposelimitations and restrictions on green regions, on avatars that accessthe green regions, and on devices that support the green regions, suchas the servers 508, 512, 516 the clients 502, 504, and the network 514.According to embodiments, the virtual universe resource conservationmodule client 506 can monitor energy usage by the client 504 andtransmit the energy usage data to the server 508. The system resourceusage controller 510 can also monitor energy usage by the server 508,and combine energy usage data from the server 508 with energy usage dataobtained from the client resource usage module to determinecomprehensive energy usage. In practice, there may be a different numberof clients and servers. Also, in some instances, a client may performthe functions of a server and a server may perform the functions of aclient. Any one of the clients 502, 504 and servers 508, 512 can beembodied as the computer system described in FIG. 6.

The clients 502 and 504 can be mainframes, minicomputers, personalcomputers, laptops, personal digital assistants, or the like.Additionally, the clients may be capable of connecting to the network514. The clients 502 and 504 may transmit data over the network 514 orreceive data from the network 514 via a wired, wireless, optical, orother connection. The virtual universe resource conservation moduleclient 506 may be embodied in one or more client machines, possiblyincluding one or more of the clients 502, 504. Further, the virtualuniverse resource conservation module client 506 may be embodied in aserver, such as the server 508. For instance, servers can embodyfunctionality (e.g., as code, a processing card, etc.) that can monitorenergy usage by the client 502, 504. Functionality for monitoring energyusage can be embodied in one or more server machines or distributed astasks to client machines accessing the virtual universe. For example,monitoring energy usage may be performed as a background task on clientmachines distributed by servers. Further, the virtual conservationregion indicator 509 can be embodied in a client, such as the client504.

Example Virtual Universe Resource Conservation Computer System

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example virtual universe resourceconservation computer system (“system”) 600. As shown in FIG. 6, thecomputer system 600 may includes processor(s) 602, a memory unit 630, aprocessor bus 622, and an Input/Output controller hub (ICH) 624. Theprocessor(s) 602, memory unit 630, and ICH 624 may be coupled to theprocessor bus 622. The processor(s) 602 may comprise any suitableprocessor architecture. The computer system 600 may comprise one, two,three, or more processors, any of which may execute a set ofinstructions in accordance with some embodiments.

The memory unit 630 may also include an I/O scheduling policy unit 632and I/O schedulers 634. The memory unit 630 can store data and/orinstructions, and may comprise any suitable memory, such as a dynamicrandom access memory (DRAM), for example. The computer system 600 mayalso include IDE drive(s) 608 and/or other suitable storage devices. Agraphics controller 604 controls the display of information on a displaydevice 606, according to some embodiments.

The input/output controller hub (ICH) 624 provides an interface to I/Odevices or peripheral components for the computer system 600. The ICH624 may comprise any suitable interface controller to provide for anysuitable communication link to the processor(s) 602, memory unit 630and/or to any suitable device or component in communication with the ICH624. The ICH 624 can provide suitable arbitration and buffering for eachinterface.

For one embodiment, the ICH 624 provides an interface to one or moresuitable integrated drive electronics (IDE) drives 608, such as a harddisk drive (HDD) or compact disc read only memory (CD ROM) drive, or tosuitable universal serial bus (USB) devices through one or more USBports 610. For one embodiment, the ICH 624 also provides an interface toa keyboard 612, selection device 614 (e.g., a mouse, trackball,touchpad, etc.), CD-ROM drive 618, and one or more suitable devicesthrough one or more firewire ports 616. For one embodiment, the ICH 624also provides a network interface 620 though which the computer system600 can communicate with other computers and/or devices.

The computer system 600 may also include a machine-readable medium thatstores a set of instructions (e.g., software) embodying any one, or all,of the methodologies for control regions in a virtual universe thatconserve natural resource usage. Furthermore, software can reside,completely or at least partially, within the memory unit 630 and/orwithin the processor(s) 602. The computer system 600 can also include avirtual universe resource conservation module 637. The virtual universeresource conservation module 637 can process communications, commands,or other information, to control regions in a virtual universe thatconserve natural resource usage. Any component of the computer system600 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, and/or machine-readablemedia including instructions for performing the operations describedherein.

Embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, anentirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software,micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardwareaspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,”“module” or “system.” Furthermore, embodiments of the inventive subjectmatter may take the form of a computer program product embodied in anytangible medium of expression having computer usable program codeembodied in the medium. The described embodiments may be provided as acomputer program product, or software, that may include amachine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions, which may beused to program a computer system (or other electronic device(s)) toperform a process according to embodiments, whether presently describedor not, since every conceivable variation is not enumerated herein. Amachine readable medium includes any mechanism for storing ortransmitting information in a form (e.g., software, processingapplication) readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). Themachine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, magneticstorage medium (e.g., floppy diskette); optical storage medium (e.g.,CD-ROM); magneto-optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); randomaccess memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM andEEPROM); flash memory; or other types of medium suitable for storingelectronic instructions. In addition, embodiments may be embodied in anelectrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signal(e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.), orwireline, wireless, or other communications medium.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the embodiments maybe written in any combination of one or more programming languages,including an object oriented programming language such as Java,Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The program code may execute entirely on a user's computer,partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partlyon the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely onthe remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remotecomputer may be connected to the user's computer through any type ofnetwork, including a local area network (LAN), a personal area network(PAN), or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider).

While the embodiments are described with reference to variousimplementations and exploitations, it will be understood that theseembodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the inventive subjectmatter is not limited to them. In general, techniques for controllingand managing virtual natural resource conservation region as describedherein may be implemented with facilities consistent with any hardwaresystem or hardware systems. Many variations, modifications, additions,and improvements are possible.

Plural instances may be provided for components, operations orstructures described herein as a single instance. Finally, boundariesbetween various components, operations and data stores are somewhatarbitrary, and particular operations are illustrated in the context ofspecific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionalityare envisioned and may fall within the scope of the inventive subjectmatter. In general, structures and functionality presented as separatecomponents in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as acombined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionalitypresented as a single component may be implemented as separatecomponents. These and other variations, modifications, additions, andimprovements may fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter.

1. A method comprising: determining that an avatar is accessing anatural resource conservation region in a virtual universe, wherein thenatural resource conservation region is supported with one or moredevices that adhere to restrictions on natural resource usage; andapplying one or more virtual universe restrictions while the avatar isaccessing the natural resource conservation region.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said applying the one or more virtual universerestrictions while the avatar is accessing the natural resourceconservation region comprises imposing limitations on processing thenatural resource conservation region.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereinsaid limitations comprise any one or more of time limits on access bythe avatar, image quality restrictions on virtual objects, penalties,restrictions on abilities of the avatar, restrictions on the datatransmitted to a client device associated with the avatar, removal ofthe avatar from the natural resource conservation region, andrestrictions on teleportations associated with the natural resourceconservation region.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:indicating the natural resource conservation region to the avatar beforethe avatar accesses the natural resource conservation region; offeringone or more awards to the avatar to incentivize the avatar to visit thenatural resource conservation region; and assigning the one or moreawards to the avatar if the avatar visits the natural resourceconservation region.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said offering theone or more awards to the avatar to incentivize the avatar to visit thenatural resource conservation region comprises offering the one or moreawards based on a history of activity by the avatar.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: providing one or more indicators to theavatar, within the virtual universe, indicating any one or more of aconservation status of the natural resource conservation region, adegree of resource conservation achieved by the one or more virtualuniverse restrictions, and a description of the virtual universerestrictions that are applied in the natural resource conservationregion.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the indicators comprise anyone or more of images within a virtual universe user interface, videoimages, sounds, text messages, visual indications on a map of thevirtual universe, a degraded image quality for one or more objects inthe natural resource conservation region, colors, backgrounds, textures,and sign posts.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receivingan offer for compensation by the avatar to remove the one or morevirtual universe restrictions from the avatar; and removing the one ormore virtual universe restrictions on the avatar based on thecompensation.
 9. One or more machine-readable media having instructionsstored thereon, which when executed by a set of one or more processorscauses the set of one or more processors to perform operationscomprising: determining that an avatar is accessing a natural resourceconservation region in a virtual universe, wherein the natural resourceconservation region is supported with one or more devices that adhere torestrictions on natural resource usage; and applying one or more virtualuniverse restrictions while the avatar is accessing the natural resourceconservation region.
 10. The machine-readable media of claim 9, whereinsaid operation of applying the one or more virtual universe restrictionswhile the avatar is accessing the natural resource conservation regioncomprises: imposing limitations on processing the natural resourceconservation region.
 11. The machine-readable media of claim 9, whereinsaid limitations comprise any one or more of time limits on access bythe avatar, image quality restrictions on virtual objects, penalties,restrictions on abilities of the avatar, restrictions on the datatransmitted to a client device associated with the avatar, removal ofthe avatar from the natural resource conservation region, andrestrictions on teleportations associated with the natural resourceconservation region
 12. The machine-readable media of claim 9, whereinsaid operations further comprise: indicating the natural resourceconservation region to the avatar before the avatar accesses the naturalresource conservation region; offering one or more awards to the avatarto incentivize the avatar to visit the natural resource conservationregion; and assigning the one or more awards to the avatar if the avatarvisits the natural resource conservation region.
 13. Themachine-readable media of claim 12, wherein said operation of offeringthe one or more awards to the avatar to incentivize the avatar to visitthe natural resource conservation region comprises offering the one ormore awards based on a history of activity by the avatar.
 14. Themachine-readable media of claim 9, further comprising: providing one ormore indicators to the avatar, within the virtual universe, indicatingany one or more of a conservation status of the natural resourceconservation region, a degree of resource conservation achieved by theone or more virtual universe restrictions, and a description of thevirtual universe restrictions that are applied in the natural resourceconservation region.
 15. The machine-readable media of claim 14, whereinthe indicators comprise any one or more of images within a virtualuniverse user interface, video images, sounds, text messages, visualindications on a map of the virtual universe, a degraded image qualityfor one or more objects in the natural resource conservation region,colors, backgrounds, textures, and sign posts.
 16. The machine-readablemedia of claim 9, wherein said operations further comprise: receiving anoffer for compensation by the avatar to remove the one or more virtualuniverse restrictions from the avatar; and removing the one or morevirtual universe restrictions on the avatar based on the compensation.17. An apparatus, comprising: a processor configured to process data fora virtual universe; and a system resource usage controller configuredto, determine that an avatar is the virtual universe is accessing anatural resource conservation region, and apply one or more virtualuniverse limitations while the avatar is accessing the natural resourceconservation region.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the systemresource usage controller is configured to impose any one or more oftime limits on access by the avatar, image quality limitations onvirtual objects, penalties, limitations on abilities of the avatar,limitations on the data transmitted to a client device associated withthe avatar, removal of the avatar from the natural resource conservationregion, and limitations on teleportations associated with the naturalresource conservation region.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, furthercomprising: a virtual conservation region indicator configured toindicate the natural resource conservation region to the avatar beforethe avatar accesses the natural resource conservation region; offer oneor more awards to the avatar to incentivize the avatar to visit thenatural resource conservation region; and assign the one or more awardsto the avatar if the avatar visits the natural resource conservationregion.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the virtual conservationregion indicator is further configured to indicate any one or more of aconservation status of the natural resource conservation region, adegree of resource conservation achieved by the one or more virtualuniverse limitations, and a description of the virtual universelimitations that are applied in the natural resource conservationregion.